Manchester to benefit from Life Sciences funding boost

David Willetts

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Manchester will be one of the major beneficiaries of a substantial funding boost to the United Kingdom's Life Sciences sector.

UK ministers announced at the Life Sciences summit at the British Business Embassy that the sector will receive an investment of £29 million.

The news coincided with a showcase event held at MediaCityUK by the UK Trade & Investment North West to highlight opportunities in the field.

Manchester University has been awarded £500,000 by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and Technology Strategy Board under the joint £180 million Biomedical Catalyst set up with Government backing.

The MRC ‘Confidence in Concept’ awards will hand out £10 million to 14 UK universities, which each receiving between £360,000 and £750,000.

These grants from the Medical Research Council and the Technology Strategy Board will help UK academics and businesses bring their scientific ideas to the market.

Minister for Life Sciences David Willetts also announced that Manchester will be one of four cities to receive a state-of-the-art e-health research centre, along with London, Dundee and Swansea as part of £19 million investment.

Willetts said: "The UK has one of the world's largest and most productive life science sectors. We have cutting edge industries such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and medical technologies. We attract almost 10 per cent of the world's pharmaceutical R&D funding."

"The Global Business Summit on Life Sciences will introduce some of the world's most important and influential sector leaders to see what the UK have to offer.

"It will also highlight how UK innovation continues to flourish and how the industry collaborates, to produce world class services, products and individuals.

“I am delighted to be a part of this event, which positions the UK as a firm leader in the world of life sciences.”